29 September,2026 10:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) on Monday postponed the State Services Main Examination 2026, which was scheduled to begin on October 3, citing representations from students, parents, student organisations and elected representatives.
The Commission also deferred the Maharashtra Civil Engineering Main Examination 2026 and the Maharashtra Group-B (Non-Gazetted) Main Examination. Revised schedules for all three examinations will be announced separately, the MPSC said.
The decision comes amid protests by aspirants over the alleged question paper leak in the drug inspector examination and concerns raised over the conduct of examinations organised by the Commission.
The MPSC said a high-level committee headed by senior bureaucrat V Radha has been reviewing the existing examination system. The panel has held detailed discussions with candidates and other stakeholders and studied examination practices followed elsewhere.
The Commission said the committee's recommendations on an ideal examination system are expected shortly.
"The Commission has received representations from several students, parents, student organisations, as well as some respected elected representatives, requesting that the State Services Main Examination 2026, scheduled to commence from October 3, be postponed," it said.
The Commission said it considered the representations and other developments before deciding to postpone the three examinations.
Alongside postponing the upcoming examinations, the MPSC has decided to re-evaluate the answer sheets of the Maharashtra State Services Main Examination 2025.
The decision follows objections submitted by several students and student organisations regarding the evaluation of answer sheets from last year's examination.
"Several student organisations and students have submitted objections to the Commission regarding the evaluation of answer sheets of the Maharashtra State Services Main Examination 2025. Taking these objections into consideration, the Commission has decided to conduct re-evaluation of the answer sheets of the State Services Main Examination 2025," the MPSC said, adding that the exam process is likely to be delayed.
The Commission did not announce a revised timeline for the re-evaluation or indicate when the affected examination process would be completed.
The State Services Main Examination is among the examinations affected by the latest decision. The Maharashtra Civil Engineering Main Examination 2026 and Maharashtra Group-B (Non-Gazetted) Main Examination have also been postponed.
The MPSC said revised dates for the examinations would be communicated separately. Candidates will therefore have to wait for a fresh schedule before planning their examination preparations around the new dates.
The postponement comes as the Commission continues to review its examination procedures amid concerns raised by aspirants and other stakeholders.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said his party had demanded that Governor Jishnu Dev Varma postpone the examination and claimed that the request had been accepted.
He also said he hoped the Governor would seek the resignation of the MPSC chairman.
(With inputs from PTI)
